Date: Tue, 30 Nov 2004 10:50:45 +0100
Reply-To: Calle <vw.vanagon@TELIA.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Calle <vw.vanagon@TELIA.COM>
Subject: Re: Maintenance Schedule
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reply-type=response
Is it "American Engineering" that makes you guys so obsessive about car
maintenance ??
I have a Volvo 745 -92 with 173000 miles on the clock on which I check tire
pressure every other month and change oil spring and fall or about every
9000 miles
Then at 40000 miles itīs time for sparkplugs, wires and airfilter change
and a new timingbelt at 60000 miles.
Other than that itīs coolant and fanbelt check when I need to fill the
windscreen washer water - and changing whatever breakes down
A friend of mine has just the same model car but from 1986 which has been
running in the family since new, 370000 miles ago, and this car has been on
the same maintenance schedule as mine and still run like a clock
The Vanagon whoīs not a daily driver has a once a year oilchange and coolant
check ...
But then we have to take a yearly "traffic safety check" too where they
check the car for rust, bad brakes, worn shocks and other
steering/suspension parts, tyres, safety belts, exhaustpipes - along with
pollution test- so I guess we have our cars somewhat under control when it
comes to wear :-)
Calle
----- Original Message -----
From: "Joel Walker" >
> yeah, but check the wording carefully in the manual ...
>
> "If you drive mostly short distances, or if you operate the vehicle in
> dusty areas, or under predominantly stop-and-go traffic conditions
> ..., the engine oil should be changed MORE FREQUENTLY.".
>
> other car companies call it "severe conditions", and they consider
> normal daily go-to-work driving as just that: severe conditions!
>
> so what's NOT severe conditions and what kind of driving is ok for
> 7500 mile oil changes?
> loooooong trips at highway speeds .. like from new york to los
> angeles.
>
> well, who the heck ever does that!!??? so basically, all the car
> companies are lying to you ... just to make you think their cars can
> go longer without maintenance. it's a crock.
> if you want the machine to last, you have to take care of it ... the
> old school ways are still the best.
>
> the best Rule of Thumb i've heard is this:
> *******************************************************
> change the oil every two months or 2000 miles, whichever comes first,
> in winter.
> change the oil every three months or 3000 miles, whichever comes
> first, in summer.
> *******************************************************
>
> in winter, the temps keep the oil from warming up fast enough, so it
> collects more condensation and acids and just plain crud.
> in summer, the oil warms up quicker, so you can go longer on it.
>
> so with regular dino oil (NOT synthetics), i would recommend to never
> go more than 3000 miles without changing the engine oil and filter. in
> fact, i've dropped my interval down to 2500 ... just so it divides
> nicely into the 7500 the book says. ;)
>
> i figure it this way ... a case of oil (12 cans/bottles) costs me $20.
> i'm kinda particular about the oil i use, so i spend more than i
> should. ;) an oil change uses 5 quarts. that's $8.33. a vw filter runs
> me about $7. so i'm spending a tad over $15 ever 2500 miles.
> for 15,000 miles a year, that's like 6 oil changes a year ... every
> two months. more or less. call it $100/year for oil changes.
>
> and a new engine would cost me what?? like $2500. so i can go 25 years
> changing oil at my schedule. :)
>
> like the old Bardahl ads used to say: you can pay me now, or you can
> pay me later. ;)
>
> good luck!
> joel
>
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